LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

Bible Reading of the day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 6,7-13. He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick--no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them." So they went off and preached repentance. They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them

Canadian troops launch airborne assault on Taliban command centre
By The Canadian Press
ZHARI DISTRICT, Afghanistan - Canadian troops have employed their own helicopters to strike at an insurgent command centre and supply base deep in the heart ofTaliban territory. Saturday's airborne assault in the restive Zhari district was the first of its kind using the newly deployed Canadian choppers.
More than 200 Canadian and American soldiers were part of the nearly 11-hour operation, sweeping mud-walled compounds and grape huts for insurgent commanders, weapons caches and bomb factories. The troops withdrew by helicopter after uncovering a large amount of explosive-making material, a few weapons and capturing two suspected Taliban fighters. The raid, in which there were no casualties, marked the start of a new chapter in the way Canada fights this three-year-old desert war in Kandahar province. Canadian troops have conducted helicopter assaults before, but until now they've always been ferried into combat by either U.S., British or Dutch helicopters.

Feltman: U.S., European Observers To Monitor Elections after Lebanon's Approval
Naharnet/U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman said Sunday that U.S. and European observers will monitor upcoming parliamentary elections, only after receiving a request from Lebanon.
Feltman said following a meeting with Elias Aude, Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church in Beirut, that the U.S. and Europe are willing to observe the electoral process, including the conduct of the poll, "only after receiving approval of the Lebanese."
Feltman, accompanied by top Middle East officer at the U.S. National Security Council Daniel Shapiro, held a series of meetings on Sunday with Lebanese officials as well as religious leaders, including Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir, Grand Mufti Sheik Mohammed Qabbani and Deputy Head of the Supreme Shiite Council Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan.
The two U.S. envoys had been shuttling back and forth between Beirut and Damascus.
They were back in Beirut on Sunday following talks in Damascus in the first high-level meeting in four years.
Qabalan welcomed the U.S. administration's steps to open dialogue with Syria. He said that peace and stability in the Middle East can be achieved through "non-stop talks between the United States and both Iran and Syria."
Qabalan called on the U.S. administration to maintain contacts with Speaker Nabih Berri and to "open communication channels with Hizbullah and Hamas."
He also said that Israel must be pressured into withdrawing from the Shebaa Farms and the Syrian Golan Heights.
For his part, Qabbani stressed the need "for a collective effort in Lebanon to help maintain stability and avoid being driven to civil strife."
"We want a safe and stable Lebanon… for the sake of Lebanon's people and the good of the Arab world," he said.
"We are careful not to allow Lebanon to be dragged into regional conflicts that can only bring harm to all." Beirut, 08 Mar 09, 18:08

Sfeir: It’s time to build our country on mutual respect
Date: March 8th, 2009 Source: NNA
Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir said during the Sunday Mass at the patriarchal church in Bkirki, that it’s time for the Lebanese to build their country on solid grounds of mutual respect, and look ahead with hope to a prosperous, free and peaceful country.
Sfeir said, “The political rhetoric nowadays is not encouraging. Everybody knows that attacks against politicians achieve undesired results.”
Sfeir was pointing to the tensed political rhetoric lately, and hoped that the Lebanese learn from previous wars and clashes in order not to walk this road again.

Aoun’s covert coup against Sfeir in the Vatican
Date: March 7th, 2009 Source: Future News
Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir is well aware of the content of the messages that former Minister Suleiman Franjieh and Gen. Michel Aoun seek to delivery to the Vatican via suspicious personal envoys whose Christian identity and faith in Lebanon are both doubted.
However, the gist of these messages has already been delivered implying that Sfeir Patriarchy would instigate chaos within the Christian community in Lebanon.
Sources in the Vatican described such attempts as unprecedented practices and conspiracies that have been occurring since last year in the corridors of the Vatican aimed at distorting the Patriarch Sfeir figure before the Pope.
These brazen attempts amounted recently, when a Christian prominent figure visited Rome alleging consultations with the Vatican. But the confidential clandestine aim of the visit is to foist the Patriarch Sfeir to get rid of his presence as head of the Maronite Church in Lebanon before the elections on June 7.
Those who launched the slandering campaigns against Sfeir accused him of supporting a certain party over the other. They also said the Patriarch is unable to guide the Christians in Lebanon with wisdom and prudence.
Furthermore, the scheme was designed to expedite the removal of Patriarch Sfeir during this month in order to hold the elections in the Christian constituencies in a climate implies the Vatican opposition to Sfeir’s religious and national stances. Instead it believes that Aoun is the right choice that would guarantee the Lebanese Christians’ interests.
The scheme’s ambitions reached its climax when this envoy fabricated a scenario aimed at removing the Patriarch from his position as head of the Maronite church due to ailment and old age, thus he has become unable to resume his duties. Nonetheless, the substitute proposed in the plan to appoint an apostolate to conduct the Patriarchy affairs, or to form a collective Patriarchal committee for the same purpose.
The so-called envoy endeavored to stress that the removal of Sfeir must be carried out immediately and during this month, precisely before the parliamentary elections. Because according to them if the ballot occurred under the Patriarch Sfeir mandate and supervision this would lead to Christians to split between supporters to Sfeir’s positions or to Aoun’s.
As the camouflaged delegate arrived to the Vatican and began executing his plan very cautiously, people close to Patriarch Sfeir were receiving phone calls from prominent figures in the Vatican informing them of a delegate knitting a conspiracy against Sfeir. This implies that some Christian leaders in Lebanon have lost their minds and are acting in unprecedented disrespect with the Vatican.
Patriarch Sfeir weren’t informed of these details at first, but he knew from sources in the Vatican that Suleiman Franjieh and Michel Aoun are seeking the Vatican’s help to desolate his patriotic views as part of their political campaign against him.
Most likely, the information leaked from the Vatican to Beirut about the activity of the camouflaged agent delegated by Aoun and Franjieh, though he hides behind another title, led Bishop Bchara El Rahi to threaten to excommunicate all who abuse Sfeir. Bishop El Rahi wanted to deliver a message to those who planned the “black coup” against Sfeir that their behavior is revealed and that they better call their delegate to pack his bags and return to Beirut, especially that the Vatican doesn’t want to expel him blatantly so as not to slide into smallness inconsistent with its religious position.
Sources of the Vatican said that top-level Vatican officials were astonished by the content of the mission of the camouflaged delegate, who directly felt that his objective was condemned by the Vatican.
The discrete response of Patriarch Sfeir to those coup attempts, which are unprecedented in the values of Christianity, was remarkable as he said about two days ago that the some people’s desire to win the elections is not worth all these diminutive actions.

Wise ‘14’ vs. Obstructing ‘8’
Date: March 8th, 2009 Source: Future News
The report of the International Monetary Fund about Lebanon and its financial system, which has shown a “remarkable strength in the face of the unfolding global financial crisis”, is rather “exceptional”.
The IMF’s conclusion that “the impact of the global financial crisis on Lebanon has so far been muted” is not detached from the domestic political stability; it is the direct result of the wise decision of ‘March 14’ forces.
Despite the “exceptionalness” of the report, we should not overlook the concerns it had expressed as it warned that “Government financing may be more difficult than anticipated especially that Lebanon remains exposed to political and security shocks that would adversely affect economic and financial conditions”.
This warning comes along with indicators that “the global recession and especially the weakened economic outlook in the Gulf are likely to affect the Lebanese economy”.
If Lebanon failed to conquer the financial breakdown, the situation would be alarming; thus, this “exceptional” report should be an incentive to soothe the domestic political situation.
The Lebanese should go about the parliamentary elections, scheduled on the 7th of June, 2009, quietly, as they should be tolerant as regards to the results.
Nevertheless, the current situation prevailing over the country is unprecedented and gravely concerning.
Some Lebanese leaders, especially those affiliated with the “Thank You Syria” gang, are always seeking a cause for dispute, as was the case recently in the Memorandum of Understanding on the issue of the International Tribunal for Lebanon.
The reasons for the unrelenting disruption of the country which is always at stake and in shock, seeing the developments in the issues of the budget of 2009 and the Council of the South and the constitutional council, are not quite understandable.
The first mission of politics in any country is to conduct the affairs of people and push it forward, and not to immobilize it.
In Lebanon, however, ’March 8’ forces have adopted the strategy of delay or deferral. Though, if this status continues, the wisdom of ‘March 14’ forces might thwart deterioration, but it definitely will not be able to push things forward.
The political formula currently prevailing in Lebanon is probably the worst expressions of political regimes. No political regime can be developed within the policy of the “obstructing third” or the futile policies of harassment and exasperation.

'There should be no Hizbullah-UK talks'
By JPOST.COM STAFF
Talking to Hizbullah would be counterproductive, Israel strongly conveyed to London after a weekend in which the notion of opening a diplomatic channel to the Shi'ite organization was raised by a British minister and enthusiastically embraced by the terror group.
Bill Rammell, the Foreign Office minister for the Middle East, told the British Parliament on Wednesday that his government would hold discussions with Hizbullah's political wing.
Rammell said the decision was made "in the light of more positive developments in Lebanon, and the formation of the national unity government in which Hizbullah is participating."
"Our over-riding objective is to press Hizbullah to play a more constructive role and move away from violence," he had said.
Rammell said Britain would not have talks with Hizbullah's military wing, and that the talks with Hizbullah would have no impact on London's refusal to deal with Hamas.
Hizbullah wants new language from West
The Foreign Ministry condemned Rammel's statements last week, but on Sunday, ministry spokesman Yigal Pamor said that discussions with London over the last few days confirmed that the apparent change in the UK's position was only from a minor statement that was blown out of proportion.
Palmor said the change in position was a clarification made public by Britain, which wants to continue holding relations with the Lebanese government, where Hizbullah is an active player. The UK's Foreign Office assured Palmor that the traditional British stance, rejecting any direct contact or dialogue with Hizbullah, remains in place.
On Saturday, Hizbullah deputy leader Sheik Naim Kassem said that he welcomed a new American and European approach toward the Lebanese terror group. He added that his group expected new language by the West in dealing with the organization which calls for Israel's destruction.
Mahmoud Komati, deputy leader of Hizbullah's political bureau, said Friday: "The British have been constantly trying for nearly a year to hold a dialogue with us, but they wanted a secret dialogue," Komati said. "If [Britain] wants a dialogue, let this dialogue be in public."
Legislator Mohammed Fneish, who represents Hizbullah in the unity government, welcomed Britain's decision to establish contacts with the group.
"Hizbullah has no objection to holding contacts with Britain," Fneish told The Associated Press. "Hizbullah's policy is to be open. Therefore, we are ready for dialogue and contacts with any country that is not hostile to us."
Hizbullah spokesman Ibrahim Moussawi also praised Britain's decision as "a step in the right direction."
In London, Foreign Secretary David Miliband explained Britain's decision to reconsider its policy toward Hizbullah as part of an effort to press the group to disarm.
"We've sanctioned low-level contacts with them so that we can make absolutely clear our determination to see UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for the disbanding of militias among other things in Lebanon, taken forward with real speed," Miliband said Friday on BBC Radio 4's "Today" program.
That resolution also ended the 2006 Second Lebanon War.
Miliband said Hizbullah's military wing remains on Britain's list of outlawed groups.
"Our objective with Hizbullah remains to encourage them to move away from violence and play a constructive, democratic and peaceful role in Lebanese politics, in line with a range of UN Security Council Resolutions," the ministry said Thursday.
Despite Britain's attempt to minimize the significance of Rammel's statement, Jerusalem officials said it might have been made to test the waters in order to examine reactions in Israel and the Arab world. The officials emphasized that pacifying messages from London were not enough and they were waiting to hear a clear, well defined position that would prevent any possibility of opening channels to the legitimization of Hizbullah.
**Herb Keinon and AP contributed to this report

Hezbollah Members Have Sex with Prostitutes
March 7, 2009
Memri.com
Former Hizbullah Member Rami 'Aleiq: We Used to Have Sex with Syrian Prostitutes after Signing Temporary Marriage Contracts With Them
Following are excerpts from an interview with Rami 'Aleiq, the former head of the Hizbullah Students Union at the American University in Beirut, which aired on Rotana Music TV on August 25, 2008.
To view this MEMRI TV clip, visit http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/2037.htm.

Three Things Influenced My Personality... The School, the Street, and [Home]... But... the Influence of the Street Culture Prevailed"
Rami 'Aleiq: "I was born in 1972, before the Lebanese civil war. As soon as I came into this world, I witnessed forced emigration, great anarchy, war, and weapons. Undoubtedly, this had an impact on me, and left me with question marks and a sense of rejection, even as a child.
[...]
"One is raised on certain notions - whether religious, political, cultural, ideological, or social - but later, one realizes that these notions gradually fall apart before one's eyes."
[...]
Interviewer: "When you were young, you were a thug. You stabbed your sister with a knife because she didn't want to wear the hijab. You were 14 years old at the time."

Rami 'Aleiq: "Right."

Interviewer: "You accused your family of apostasy, saying they were infidels and sinners. Such a criminal worldview in a teenager... Who shaped it for you?"

Rami 'Aleiq: "First of all, I'm not sure I agree with the word 'criminal.' This is the product of society. It was shaped by the street. Three things influenced my personality, as they influence the personality of any teenager or child..."

Interviewer: "Stabbing is not a crime?"

Rami 'Aleiq: "Taken by itself, it is a crime. But crimes have underlying social circumstances. I was just a child, a minor. [A child is influenced] by the school, the street, and his home. My home was moderate, and so was my school, but the street was overflowing with extremism. The influence of the street culture prevailed." [...]

"It Is Not Just Hizbullah... All [The] Parties Rely On Teenagers"
Interviewer: "Let's return to when you were 13 or 14 years old. That year, you took up arms and became a fighter for Hizbullah. The rifle must have been bigger than you."

Rami 'Aleiq: "Right."

Interviewer: "Does Hizbullah's army need 13-year-old children in its ranks?"

Rami 'Aleiq: "To be honest, it is not just Hizbullah. This applies to all the parties. All parties rely on teenagers."

[...]

Archival footage shown

Crowd: "We are all with you, Rami! We are all with you, Rami!"

Interviewer: "That was you?"

Rami 'Aleiq: "Yes."

Interviewer: "And this is you now?"

Rami 'Aleiq: "Yes."

Interviewer: "There is a very great difference."

Rami 'Aleiq: "Only in the sense of external appearance. The essence is the same, but the form has changed tremendously. This incident... If I want to sum up the circumstances, this was one of the incidents that changed the course of my life, and changed my beliefs. I was subjected to a savage beating. If you look at the newspapers from that day, you will see what savage beatings we got.

"People from all sects and political affiliations were standing by me. We shattered the fetters of partisanship. There were members of different parties as well as independents, and we shattered the fetters of political pressures. We decided in advance that we would stick together even if we got beaten up. This was a great thing which caused many of my beliefs to come undone.

[...]

"This was somehow connected to the conspiracy theory. We felt that there was an existential threat to the Shiites. This theory still exists."

This Conspiracy Theory "Was The Product of a Certain Culture... The Idea That Your Salvation Depended on Preserving the Narrow [Shiite] Framework"
Interviewer: "Who taught you this conspiracy theory?"

Rami ‘Aleiq: "Nobody did. It was the product of a certain culture, which would instill in your mind the idea that your salvation depended on preserving the narrow [Shiite] framework. This makes you feel that the end absolutely justifies the means."

[...]

Interviewer: "After this, you secluded yourself for three days in an old church, you developed a desire to learn about Jesus and Christian teachings, and you performed Christian rituals. Were you baptized with holy water in accordance with Christian rituals?"

"I Was Baptized With Holy Water... [But] I Did Not Convert From Islam To Christianity. I Kept My Islamic Faith"
Rami 'Aleiq: "Yes. I was baptized with holy water. I did this out of my own free will, but just to be clear, I did not convert from Islam to Christianity. I kept my Islamic faith, and still do. I added the Christian way to my religious practice, because I distinguish between religion and faith. Faith has no identity, and the goal of religion is to reach faith, to reach God."

[...]

Interviewer: "Are you for or against sex before marriage?"

Rami 'Aleiq: "I'm for it."

Interviewer: "But all religions forbid this."

Rami 'Aleiq: "I think that the way this issue is viewed is subject to social development, and religions need to be aware of social developments."[...]
"We Would Have Sex With Prostitutes For 500 Syrian Lira per Half Hour... In Islam... A Girl Is Mature from the Age of Nine... I Was a Child, and So Was She... I Was Not Allowed to Touch Her" Without Contracting a Pleasure-Marriage
Interviewer: "[In your book,] you write: 'When I went on trips, I used to go secretly with several young friends to the Al-Marja neighborhood in Damascus. We would go to a hotel in order to have sex with prostitutes for 500 Syrian liras per half hour.' To justify this, you write: 'None of us would make physical contact with the girl he chose before signing a formal pleasure-marriage contract with her.' Isn't marriage meant to be out of pure intentions? Weren't you conning God this way?"

Rami 'Aleiq: "You're right. Pleasure-marriage means conning God, as well as ourselves. I am against this way of relating to sex and to women.

[...]

"This is something that still goes on. It is wrong."

Interviewer: "Back then you were an observant Shiite Muslim from Hizbullah, weren't you?"

Rami ‘Aleiq nods.
[...]
Interviewer: "How did you ever dare to sign a pleasure-marriage contract with a nine-year-old girl?"

Rami 'Aleiq: "In our culture, in order to be able to touch a girl or a woman, there must be a contract of pleasure-marriage."

[...]

Interviewer: "We are talking about a nine-year-old girl..."

Rami 'Aleiq: "Sure. In Islam, and this is what we were taught, a girl is mature from the age of nine. This is true with regard to Sunnis as well as Shiites. You are focusing on Shia Islam, because I am a Shiite, but according to religious jurisprudence, a girl is mature at the age of nine. This is where we got this idea. I was a child, and so was she, so I was not allowed to touch her, if I didn't form with her the kind of relation that permitted this."